01-19-2012, 12:17 PM
I think on modern dslrs AF is a must <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />. But then so is FTM (Full Time Manual focusing) <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.
Personally I wouldn't want to go back to MF only, it just is too slow most of the time. I find the combination of intial AF and the slightest bit of MF, aided by a good focusing screen, is ideal for my type of shooting. Quick centre point AF, recompose and adjust focus if necessary, shoot. This is exactly how I worked with MF in my analog days, except for the AF part, i.e., in those days I used its equivalent in the form of a split prism in the centre for focusing, recompose, and adjust focus on the screen, and this still works best for me.
I could do with just MF, considering I am using a good quality focusing screen to do just that, but AF + slight MF is way faster and much more convenient for me. Using focus confirmation is a pain, IMO, because it rarely works the way I want it to, so I don't bother with that. One advantage of AF is that it will work still when I can't see anything clearly enough anymore, even unaided by VF <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />, because it is too dark out there, although in those cases I may well switch to LiveView <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.
EVFs are obviously getting much better these days, but until they appear in a FF sensor body, I am not really tempted yet. I like much smaller bodies, but the characteristics of FF weigh more heavily for me than an EVF with focus peaking, especially because AF + slight MF works very well for me.
Kind regards, Wim
' />. But then so is FTM (Full Time Manual focusing) <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.Personally I wouldn't want to go back to MF only, it just is too slow most of the time. I find the combination of intial AF and the slightest bit of MF, aided by a good focusing screen, is ideal for my type of shooting. Quick centre point AF, recompose and adjust focus if necessary, shoot. This is exactly how I worked with MF in my analog days, except for the AF part, i.e., in those days I used its equivalent in the form of a split prism in the centre for focusing, recompose, and adjust focus on the screen, and this still works best for me.
I could do with just MF, considering I am using a good quality focusing screen to do just that, but AF + slight MF is way faster and much more convenient for me. Using focus confirmation is a pain, IMO, because it rarely works the way I want it to, so I don't bother with that. One advantage of AF is that it will work still when I can't see anything clearly enough anymore, even unaided by VF <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' />, because it is too dark out there, although in those cases I may well switch to LiveView <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />.EVFs are obviously getting much better these days, but until they appear in a FF sensor body, I am not really tempted yet. I like much smaller bodies, but the characteristics of FF weigh more heavily for me than an EVF with focus peaking, especially because AF + slight MF works very well for me.
Kind regards, Wim
Gear: Canon EOS R with 3 primes and 2 zooms, 4 EF-R adapters, Canon EOS 5 (analog), 9 Canon EF primes, a lone Canon EF zoom, 2 extenders, 2 converters, tubes; Olympus OM-D 1 Mk II & Pen F with 12 primes, 6 zooms, and 3 Metabones EF-MFT adapters ....